ALFRED, NY - The Utica University men's basketball team extended its winning streak to a program best 13 games after defeating Alfred University 55-42 in the regular season finale on Saturday evening. 
 
An explosive first half helped the Pioneers take a 32-17 lead into the locker room. The team shot 48 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes while holding the Alfred Saxons to 20.8 percent shooting including 2-of-12 shooting from deep. 
 
A balanced second half led to the Pioneers keeping its halftime lead in check. Utica netted 23 points in the final frame off of 40 percent shooting while Alfred outscored Utica with 25 points however, the Saxons were not as efficient on just 31.4 percent shooting and 1-for-10 three-point shooting in the half. 
 
Utica handled Alfred's starting five as a total of 22 of 42 Saxon points came from reserves off the bench. The Saxons did manage to out-rebound the Pioneers 45-31 resulting in 12 second chance points. 
 
Chris Green (White Plains, NY/Alexander Hamilton) led Utica with 16 points while also totaling five boards, two assists and one block and steal. Thomas Morreale (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) ended with 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting, including a perfect 3-for-3 from deep, as well as three rebounds, two assists and one block and steal each. Kimedrick Murphy (Hudson, NY/Hudson) pounded the boards all evening, recording 13 rebounds in 31 minutes of play to go along with six points and three blocks. 
 
Utica (22-3, 15-1 Empire 8) will await to host the winner of Tuesday's Empire 8 opening round contest between Russell Sage College and Alfred for the semifinal on Friday, Feb. 25 at 5:30 p.m.